I'm not a Director, or a Deputy Director....
Just an Old Dude out here in Eastern Iowa...
So I hope I am not stepping on anyone's toes...

That said, are any of you folks in these regions interested in working to plan some sort of get-together for say sometime in April....In Eastern Iowa

Now more then likely there are a fair number of folks in Southern Wisconsin and Western Illinois that are closer to Eastern Iowa then those of you in Nebraska and the Dakotas.... So Region 10 members, feel free to jump in.... :beer:

If you are interested let's get some discussion going....

.................................................. .......................

By the way... Can someone explain the make up of this region....
75% of the Iowa population is DesMoines and East
That being the case the Dakota's and Nebraska don't come in to play to often...

Most folks I know in this part of the Midwest think in terms of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois when it comes to developing a region....

It would be interesting by vote, to see if members living in Iowa feel region 10 or region 11 membership makes more sense...

Not complaining, or trying to start a revolution mind you... Just curious.... :dontknow:

Arnie in Iowa
__________________

Viva la revolution!

Kidding...but seriously, I would love an opportunity to meet some members and see your rides.

I am in north east IL, and Arnie is about 120 miles away from me. Sadly that is closer than most of our active IL members (most of them seem to be in southern IL). I think our proposed IL spring get-together is around a 3 hour drive for me.

Where Arnie lives is also a nice central location for northern MO, IL, and WI. If you put something together Arnie, I am in.

Arnie, When looking at a map you see Region 10 runs from the Canadian Border to almost the middle of the US (Kentucky). To me it seems a problem to have anything put together that that most would engage in. My feeling is that a little rearanging might be in order. Being we have had no active Moderator for almost three years or more it is a problem. This is only an opinion not a gripe.

I agree, I had to start anything that would lead to discourse, but region 10 does span a lot of north to south area. Taking IL specifically, a lot of our active members seem to be in the southern half, at the southern tip of the region.

What if we put up a 30 day poll between those two regions, just as simple as "yes, I am active and I check the site for events." Then take those responses, toss them on a map and see where your active members are. Little bit of work, but it would potentially make a better grouping of people to make get togethers.

Not sure if there is an easy way to do this, but just a suggestion...maybe we should make another thread about this, since this on is intended to be about getting a gathering going?

I agree, I had to start anything that would lead to discourse, but region 10 does span a lot of north to south area. Taking IL specifically, a lot of our active members seem to be in the southern half, at the southern tip of the region.

What if we put up a 30 day poll between those two regions, just as simple as "yes, I am active and I check the site for events." Then take those responses, toss them on a map and see where your active members are. Little bit of work, but it would potentially make a better grouping of people to make get togethers.

Not sure if there is an easy way to do this, but just a suggestion...maybe we should make another thread about this, since this on is intended to be about getting a gathering going?

Matt, I'm not smart enough to know how to do the poll thing on this site, but if you or anyone else is up to the task I think it's a great idea.

A lot of the "mindset" of us folks in the Midwest is based upon the old Big 10 conference.
Lots of rivalry (basketball and football) amongst Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Hell most of us car guys, many of whom are sports fans have been in the stadiums in all four of these states. So that's the geography we think about.

Nebraska is a new comer to the Big 10 and no disrespect but most.Big 10 folks have no clue what conference North and South Dakota schools are in.

Bottom line, take a compas and draw a circle with a 150 mile radius of Davenport.
You get 80% of the population of Iowa, to the edge of Chicago, up to Madison Wisconsin and South to Springfield.

Most folks might be willing to make a two hour trip if the event is worthwhile.

Nebraska and the Dakotas all lie at least another 150 miles beyond that circle.

It's all about demographics and population centers....

Nuff said..... :beer:

Arnie in Iow

Well, lets use this thread to figure out a get together, and in the meantime, maybe we can get some director's insight on possibly figuring out a re-organization.

We don't need to remake the regions to meet in the meantime :beer: And what you said makes a lot of sense, there are some high pop areas with Davenport in the center of it, should be easy to get a get together there, just gotta rally the troops!

Bump

:poke: anybody out there....

anybody care..... :dontknow:

Arnie in Iowa

I don't mean to appear so self-serving but back in the 80's I built a high performance homebuilt aircraft (Rutan Long EZ) and flew it all over the country.

Later formed what became the largest homebuilt A/C organization in the United States (at the time) called "Central States" and for years we held fly-ins in Davenport Iowa and Rough River Kentucky.
Those events attracted as many as 90 aircraft from all over the country. (Granted 160 MPH in a straight line really compresses the travel time.)

Point being, This isn't my first rodeo..... If we can garner some regional support we could develop and host a weekend "Meet & Greet" with some interesting activities and an evening dinner event.
Whatever you, the members are willing to commit to participating in developing.

If Texas can do it.... Why can't a bunch of Mid-Westerners ???????

Again I appologize if the tone of this post is a little over the top but...

Lets Do This !!!! :nanawrench:

Arnie in Iowa

One more time.....Bump

It sounds like a great idea. I've only had my camino about 6 months and I'm still in the process of making it street worthy.It barely ran when i got it but I'm getting there. It will hopefully be ready by spring. :beer:

Nothing aids any work in progress like being around "like minded" people.

If anyone uses Skype let 's gather up our Skype addresses and have a conference call to brainstorm some Spring plans... Skype is Free

Arnie in Iowa

Nothing aids any work in progress like being around "like minded" people.

If anyone uses Skype let 's gather up our Skype addresses and have a conference call to brainstorm some Spring plans... Skype is Free

Arnie in Iowa

I can handle going to northeast Iowa.

I can handle going to northeast Iowa.

It's the junction of Interstate 80 and the Mississippi River

Arnie in Iowa

I like where this is going. My skype is mattendres, but I am never on there unless I am looking for someone. We just need to keep bugging people until the Spring and then get it planned.

I like where this is going. My skype is mattendres, but I am never on there unless I am looking for someone. We just need to keep bugging people until the Spring and then get it planned.
I agree Matt !!

If everyone who has an interest in building the "MidWest" group would post their Skype address we could gather that info and set an initial time (Some point in early March :dontknow:) to have our first Skype conference call amongst the participating members.

Collectively we could develop our first weekend Elky event for perhaps sometime May.

The key is getting a committed group of folks talking with each other Let's build that membership Skype List....If folks would copy the below section and add their information it would be a great start....

Name /Location /Skype Address

Arnie A./Davenport, Ia/ arnieash1945
Matt/ city-state /mattendress359028

I use Skype for business meetings with customers in Asia all the time so I could facilitate the Skype conference procedure for participating members...

If not us... Who
If not now... When

:beer:

Arnie in Iowa

Here is a rough idea of what I had in mind for a Mid-West Elky get together...

We have a local car show about 4 times a Summer at the mall.
It usually attracts 200/300 or more vehicles and is well organized and runs about three hours on a Saturday evening. They always have music, sometimes even a live band.
Brats and burgers are available at reasonable prices.

My though is we could all meet at my place perhaps mid afternoon on Saturday and have a "meet & greet" and fire up the grill and do Brats or "Iowa Pork Chops".

Then fire up the Elky and head to the show (about 4 miles away) around 6:00 in the evening.

After the show we could come back to my place (if folks are interested) and have a few beers around the pool. :beer:

There is a local very nice Comfort Inn about 1 1/2 miles from my place. i can get a corporate rate around $80 for rooms.

We could all meet on Sunday morning and travel the 1/2 mile to the Machine Shed Restaurant which tends to be the local hang out for folks coming to car shows in Davenport. The food is really good.

Then folks could depart for home around mid day on Sunday so everyone gets home at a reasonable hour.

Just a thought....certainly subject to changes as everyone deems neccessary....

Arnie in Iowa

I love the idea Arnie.

Btw, my skype name is "mattendres" and my town is Marengo, IL.

Let me know when the first date is and I will be there! Count me in! :You_Rock:

I agree Matt !!

If everyone who has an interest in building the "MidWest" group would post their Skype address we could gather that info and set an initial time (Some point in early March :dontknow:) to have our first Skype conference call amongst the participating members.

Collectively we could develop our first weekend Elky event for perhaps sometime May.

The key is getting a committed group of folks talking with each other Let's build that membership Skype List....If folks would copy the below section and add their information it would be a great start....

Name /Location /Skype Address

Arnie A./Davenport, Ia/ arnieash1945
Matt/ Marengo, Il /mattendress

I use Skype for business meetings with customers in Asia all the time so I could facilitate the Skype conference procedure for participating members...

If not us... Who
If not now... When

:beer:

Arnie in Iowa


(Corrected Matt's Skype & Location Info)

I agree Matt !!

If everyone who has an interest in building the "MidWest" group would post their Skype address we could gather that info and set an initial time (Some point in early March :dontknow:) to have our first Skype conference call amongst the participating members.

Collectively we could develop our first weekend Elky event for perhaps sometime May.

The key is getting a committed group of folks talking with each other Let's build that membership Skype List....If folks would copy the below section and add their information it would be a great start....

Name /Location /Skype Address

Arnie A./Davenport, Ia/ arnieash1945
Matt/ Marengo, Il /mattendres

I use Skype for business meetings with customers in Asia all the time so I could facilitate the Skype conference procedure for participating members...

If not us... Who
If not now... When

:beer:

Arnie in Iowa

Whoops... Corrected Matt's Skype address...

You guys are getting further north all the time lol. Im in Olney, IL. Id have to drive 150 miles before I even reach that "150 mile radius around Davenport".

I would love to get a map and put push pens on it like you guys said. Ill even voulnteer to do it. I can start a poll also if you guys want

You guys are getting further north all the time lol. Im in Olney, IL. Id have to drive 150 miles before I even reach that "150 mile radius around Davenport".

I would love to get a map and put push pens on it like you guys said. Ill even voulnteer to do it. I can start a poll also if you guys want


Your're right JP !!!

You are 292 miles from Davenport !!!
Too bad your not a little closer...

We have to shake loose a few Elky owners up in our neck of the woods.

Arnie

I wouldnt mind drivin that far one bit... If i had some extra spending money lol. Me and my gf could make a mini vacation outta it.

Would this get-together be a weekend thing or just an afternoon?

And also, I started a new thread in Region 10 about the whole "thumbtack on a map" idea

I'm 211 miles away also. This would almost have to be a weekend thing for me also. I would be trailering in my car for it due to the new motor and I want to make sure all the bugs are going to be out of it. I would coming from the most southeast part of Wisconsin.

This would be a weekend event...

See my post earlier in this string

Arnie

Thatd be better. It wouldnt be worth a few hours but Id be willing to come for a weekend of fun!

My goal is to (hopefully) host an event centered around our local car shows which occur several times over the course of the warm weather months.

Please reference an earlier post I made in this string of posts.

My sense is participation would come from both regions 10 & 11.

Geographically we are located about 12 miles west of where the Mississippi River and Interstate 80 meet. Exit 292 on Interstate 80 to be exact.

Arnie in Iowa

The weekend thing sounds like a good idea:beer:
I'd be willing to try the 300mi trip, provided I've got the elky roadworthy by then.

Arnie I am here. I have been busy this first part of the year have not had an opportunity to do exactly what you just did and start the ball rolling Thanks for the help. I had 1 meet and greet last year and I told everyone about a car show I was going to attend. I sent it to all the members in Iowa. No one attended either it is hard for me to see the 200 registered members in Iowa and you and I are about the only two active ones. I would love to get in on anything happening all over the state. I don't have a show winner daily driver in Iowa doesn't go over well but I go to shows anyways. I do not have a skype account and am not often at a computer long enough to have a conversation. Hope we can get something planned on the books.

We definitly need to plan something. Even though theres only about 10 of us that are active on our Region, we can all meet sometime

We definitly need to plan something. Even though theres only about 10 of us that are active on our Region, we can all meet sometime

We'll get this thing done !

My Elky is a daily driver too (if it's not raining) and, to my way of thinking, the point of the get-together is really about beer and burgers, :beer: and sharing war stories about our projects.

A good friend of mine has twice been National Builder of the Year and his creations have made the front covers of many national magazines. If he is in town I could look at arranging a tour of his facility during our week-end get-together.


So we could...

Participate with a several hundred folks in a local car show
Grill "Iowa chops" and kick back at my place
Have a few beverages around the pool
Have breakfast at one of the local "hang outs"
And (maybe) tour a World Class car builders facility
And what ever else we want to cram into a week-end !!!

Arnie in Iowa

I aint gonna lie, that sounds like one hell of a weekend to me!

Sounds like a plan to me. It would be great way to meet.

I just found this site this week n I'd b down for a meet n greet or cruz soooo bump.

Hey Joey...welcome! Keep checking back here, Arnie is going to get us something rolling when the weather turns for good. I also have a race I am running on May 19th up on the WI side of twin cities (Tough Mudder), so I might bring the Elco up there depending on how many people go with me and how many cars we need to bring.

I attend Bologna Nationals in Pella Iowa. It is the second weekend in July. If anybody is interested I can post more information. I started a thread in Region 11 to see who we had and so far no one has posted that I know of.

Iowas a long ways away for me

A post ALAsh (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/member.php?u=17146) had said to put it up here just thought I would. For all to see this gets more hits then the one I put in our region forum.

My thought was to wrap this event around the first car show in Davenport Iowa.
It is not a judged event just two to three hundred vehicles from older redone daily drivers to some pretty incredible ground up restorations.

I am hearing that the first car show will be in early June.
(I thought it was late April or Early May.)

I'll post more details as soon as they announce the car show schedule.

I know they have one each month from June thru September.

Arnie in Iowa

Thanks Arnie for keeping with this! Looking forward to a get together!

Thanks I was a little confused that is why I posted about the other car show.

I attend Bologna Nationals in Pella Iowa. It is the second weekend in July. If anybody is interested I can post more information. I started a thread in Region 11 to see who we had and so far no one has posted that I know of.
Pella is about an hr closer to me then Davenport. I'd like to check either of them out, maybe both. we'll see what this summer brings.
Thanks for putting it out there:beer:

Bumping this for Arnie, in case he has heard about any shows going on!

Thanks Matt,
I am waiting for info on the first large local car show which will occur in early June.
As soon as I have the info I will post a complete schedule of events we could participate in as well as a link to the car show web site.

Arnie

Region 10 members in or near the twin cities just an FYI there is a car show/swap meet at the MN state fair grounds in April. I think its the 14 15 weekend not 100% but you can always check the web sites event calendar. I try to go to it every year so u might just find me there for thoes who show up.